Travel guides for couples; romantic escapes, city breaks + worldwide adventures

⁠Karla Mawby: Born in Trowbridge UK
Elliott Hopkins: Born in Bath UK
Currently living in Perth Australia

We have been travelling since March 2025, starting as backpackers through South East Asia for 5 months, before landing in Australia, August 2025. Recently completing a lap of Australia over the last 11 months.

⁠Both Elliott and I have worked since we were teenagers and therefore have been able to rely on our savings. We had a big decision to make regarding putting our money into buying a house or going travelling.

⁠We have both individually always wanted to travel and have both been lucky to have had summer holidays abroad with family growing up.
I travelled in Western Australia for 8 weeks previously, and spent my time living out of a 4×4 on the road and in between Hostels. I then independently travelled in The Canary Islands to complete scuba diving qualifications before setting out on this longer period of travel.
Elliott has previously independently travelled the west coast of America covering 6000 miles, hitting all the big national parks. He rented a 4×4 in Seattle and lived in it for 8 weeks.
At the start of the year, before we made the decision to travel, we were both involved in accidents that left us with broken bones. The experience gave us a new perspective and reinforced the importance of making the most of life, which ultimately motivated us to take the opportunity to travel.

Together we have travelled to the following destinations:

• Thailand
• Cambodia
• Vietnam
• Singapore
• Bali
• Australia
• Tasmania

⁠Amed was one of our favourite place to travel because it offered the perfect combination of natural beauty, adventure, and relaxation. We would have dinner with incredible views of Mount Agung rising above the coastline, after having spent our days exploring the underwater world. The diving in Amed is some of the best we have experienced, with vibrant man-made reefs, dramatic drop-offs, and fascinating shipwrecks, all within easy reach.

Siem Reap was one of our favourite destinations because every day offered something completely unique. From exploring the incredible temples and watching the sunrise over Angkor Wat to learning about the life-saving work of the HeroRATs, visiting the conservation park and butterfly house, and enjoying an unforgettable circus performance, there was always something new to experience. What made our time there even more special was the wonderful tuk-tuk guide who became our driver for our entire stay. He took us everywhere we wanted to go, patiently waited while we explored, introduced us to his family, and shared insights into local life that we would never have experienced otherwise. His kindness and generosity transformed our trip from simply sightseeing into a genuine cultural connection, creating memories that will stay with us forever.

We had an amazing time in Singapore, arriving just as the city was building up to the National Day celebrations. We were lucky enough to witness military displays, including cannon firings, fighter jet flyovers and helicopters, as well as live music performances and spectacular fireworks lighting up the skyline around Marina Bay. However, our accommodation experience was less enjoyable. Due to the busy holiday period, the only affordable option available was a stay in space pods. While it was certainly a unique experience, the shared accommodation was crowded, with loud snorers and some rather unusual characters among the guests. The low point came when I (Karla) accidentally walked in on a naked man! Despite the accommodation mishaps, Singapore’s incredible atmosphere and celebrations made the trip unforgettable.

• Sipadan Islands for diving
• Raja Amat for diving
• Canada
• The Dolomites
• Machu Pichu the Inca trail

• Carabiners
• Loop ear plugs
• Smaller day bag

⁠While sleeper buses were a cheap way to travel around Vietnam, and some of them were great, many of our experiences were disappointing. Poor hygiene, overcrowded buses, passengers smoking, limited luggage storage, and people sleeping on the floor often made journeys uncomfortable. Unreliable pickup times, unclear rest stops, and reckless driving added to the frustration, making what should have been an overnight rest feel stressful and exhausting.

As we finished our lap around Australia last week, we have already spoken about our most recent trip however, there was one place in particular that we went out of our way to visit. This was the underground town of Coober Pedy. Coober Pedy was one of the weirdest but most wonderful places we visited. Famous for its underground homes, the town felt like nowhere else on Earth, with a unique landscape that was both rugged and fascinating. A highlight was exploring the Kanku-Breakaways Conservation Park, where the colourful hills and vast desert views created an almost otherworldly experience. Between the unusual underground lifestyle, rich history and stunning outback scenery, Coober Pedy offered a truly unforgettable Australian adventure.